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done through the mail, Peterson explained.
• The funding that libraries receive from their local governments often doesn't go up quite as quickly as costs do, and with the nationwide economic slowdown in recent years, some budgets have been cut. The budget of Brunskill's home library in Philip, S.D., for example, was trimmed a year ago, and Groton lost a significant part of the funding it used to receive from the county when the bookmobile was still in service.
• But that's not the case everywhere. In most communities in North Dakota, a statewide budget surplus has helped local budgets as well. "I haven't really heard of anybody getting a really big cut," Peterson said.
• Librarians in Britton, Faulkton and Clark all report that city funding has held steady, and even if costs are rising, frugality is a mindset they know quite well.
• "We sometimes have to be thrifty in our book purchases," said librarian Judy Dixon of Faulkton.
• But rural libraries have another source of funds if the regular budget isn't enough: The users themselves. When community members see a need, they often step up to fill the gap--avid readers in the community often donate new books right after they have read them, and area librarians report their recent fundraisers have been quite successful.
• "People are so generous. It's unreal," Satrang said of her Britton community. "We also have had a couple substantial donations from people that have passed away."

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